Ruto responds to “Ruto Must Go” calls, urges critics to offer solutions instead

President William Ruto has responded to opposition calls for his resignation, urging Kenyans to reject violence and hate-fuelled protests and instead concentrate on meaningful solutions to national challenges.

Speaking at the World MSMEs Day celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, the head of state addressed the “Ruto Must Go” sentiments, emphasizing that the Constitution clearly defines how leadership changes should occur—through free and fair elections.

“Terms are limited. You are either ‘one term’ or ‘two terms’. You cannot have more than that. What is this craze about terms? So, let’s look for solutions about our challenges. Solutions cannot be found in terms, it’s about a strategy and a plan,” remarked Ruto.

“If it is ‘Ruto Must Go’, tell me how you want me to go. What do you mean by ‘Ruto Must Go’? How do I go? We have a Constitution in place, dear Kenyans,” he stated.

President Ruto reiterated his willingness to allow another leader to assume power, but only if the people vote for change through the proper channels.

“If you want Ruto to go, my advice to you is you look for a better plan than the one I have, and convince the people of Kenya that you have a better plan. Violence will not, and anarchy will not. Let us not fool ourselves,” he said.

“Persuade Kenyans if you have a better plan, I can also go and concentrate on farming and help in food security. But don’t burn the country for heaven’s sake. We don’t have another country,” he added.

Ruto dismissed protests as unproductive and warned that ongoing unrest could destroy the very country protesters claim to defend, labelling the protests as hate-driven.

“If you are telling us you truly love this nation, don’t be part of the problem, figure out how we are going to get solutions,” he stated. “If you hate the leaders, I want to tell you hate brings conflict, conflict brings violence. Violence is not a solution to unemployment, and to any of the challenges that Kenya is facing,”

The President noted that while some demonstrators claim to love Kenya, their actions contradict that sentiment.

“They say they love Kenya, but hate the leaders. They speak of ‘one term’ and say Ruto must go. If you truly love Kenya, don’t burn your country,” Ruto told the audience.

In addressing political and religious leaders allegedly inciting chaos, the President demanded accountability.

“I want to ask leaders – political and religious leaders, who are encouraging this movement towards violence and chaos and anarchy, what is your plan? You are telling young people burn the place and cause violence so that what happens, so we move to where?” he questioned.

He cautioned that continued lawlessness could spiral out of control.

“What is going on in these streets, people think is fashionable. They take selfies and post on social media. But I want to tell you, if we continue this way, they will finish with the small enterprises in downtown, and they will move to Kileleshwa, Lavington, Karen, then everywhere and we will not have a country,” he warned.

“If we continue in this route, we will not have a country. And the country does not belong to William Ruto, the country belongs to all of us. If there is no country for William Ruto, there is no country for you,” he said.